Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

Congestive heart failure, or CHF, is the most common heart problem in dogs. Although any age group or breed can develop CHF, it usually occurs in overweight dogs approaching their senior years. It can also be caused by heartworms.

  1. What s Congestive Heart Failure?

    • CHF develops over time when the heart is not pumping properly. Blood backs up in blood vessels of the lungs. Pressure on the vessels causes small amounts of fluid to leak out into the lungs.

    Signs

    • The main sign of CHF is coughing as the dog tries to clear its lungs. Other signs include tiring easily, labored breathing, rapid breathing and abdominal swelling.

    Detection

    • Any dog displaying signs of CHF should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. CHF is diagnosed by a combination of the following:

      Listening to heart and lung sounds to identify murmurs, arrhythmias and abnormal lung sounds.

      Lab work including blood and urine tests.

      Chest X-rays to view the size and shape of the heart and examine the lungs.

      EKG to graph the electrical activity of the heart.

      Ultrasound echocardiogram to view the heart in real time.

    Treatment

    • Immediate treatments include diuretics to pull off excess fluid and nitroglycerin to decrease the heart's workload.

      Drugs to treat long-term CHF include digitalis to slow heart rate and vasodilators to lower blood pressure. Vetmedin, a vasodilator, may be used with diuretics or other medications to control symptoms.

    Prevention

    • Just like humans, lifestyle plays a big role in preventing CHF in dogs. Dogs need regular daily exercise and walks, along with a good-quality diet that limits sodium and table scraps. Regular veterinarian visits and dental care to prevent heart infections is important, especially as dogs age. Limit the number of stairs an older dog has to use by installing ramps.

    Safety

    • In an emergency, to drain fluid from your dog's lungs, hold it upside down for 10 seconds. Small dogs may be held by the back legs; larger dogs should be held by the hips. This can help your dog breathe while you are trying to get it to the vet.